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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-12 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 04/08/2024 Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Edina Parks & Recreation Commission Braemar Golf Course March 12, 2024 7 p.m. I. Call to Order Chair Doscotch called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. II. Roll Call Answering roll call were Commissioners Doscotch, Kane, Luangrath, Pettit, Pfuhl, Spanhake, Weaver and Student Commissioners DiLorenzo and Holtey Commissioners Absent: Garazatua and Welsh Staff Present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom Swenson, Assistant Director Recreation and Facilities Tracy Petersen, City Forester Luther Overholt, Recreation Supervisor Rachael Walters and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton III. Approval of Meeting Agenda Motion made by Spanhake to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Pfuhl. Motion carried. IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion made by Pfuhl to approve the Feb. 13, 2024, minutes. Motion seconded by Weaver. Motion carried. V. Special Recognitions and Presentations A. Staff Liaison Vetter welcomed new Commissioners Kane and Pettit, noting new Commissioner Garazatua was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. Commissioners Bob Kane and Leah Pettit introduced themselves to the Commission. The Commission introduced themselves to the new Commissioners. VI. Community Comment None VII. Reports/Recommendations A. Outdoor Ice Rink Season Recap & Preview of Summer Sports Recreation Supervisor Walters provided a presentation on this item, noting there are 12 rink locations, and the season normally runs from mid-December through mid-February. This year, the rinks were only open 13 days, due to the unseasonably warm weather. In 2023 there was approximately 1,270 hours reserved for each softball field. The primary users of the sports fields are local sports associations. Discussion ensued regarding the sports dome usage. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 04/08/2024 Recreation Supervisor Walters stated that funds have been received from the Edina Rotary Club that will be used to supply a new public AED that will be mounted outside of the park shelter building at Pamela Park. The equipment cost is $5,900. There is an additional fee of approximately $1,500 for installation and wiring. Recreation Supervisor Walters gave a re-cap of the 2023 programs. Registration for the Spring and Summer programs began on Feb. 21, 2024, there will be 824 sessions of programing offered and as of March 11, 2024, there have been 5,364 registrations. The conversation returned to the ice rinks and potential ways of handling future weather issues. B. Community Forestry Update City Forester Overholt gave an update on the forestry program. He praised Matthew Gabb, Sustainability Specialist in the Engineering Department, for his grant writing, stating Edina received $500,000 that will be used for the removal and replacement of the worst public ash trees and buckthorn. City Forester Overholt encouraged Commissioners to participate in the Tree Sale by spreading the word or by purchasing trees for themselves and others. He also invited all to join him on April 26, 2024, at Centennial Lakes Park to plant trees for Arbor Day from Noon-4 p.m. C. Aquatic Center – Horizon Project Planning Staff Liaison Vetter gave a presentation on the aquatic center relating to the massive infrastructure and behind the scenes project that must be completed. The aquatic center houses a 50-meter-pool, twin diving platforms, two waterslides, zero-entry wave pool, a cable ride from the pirate-themed ship to a dry playground area, shower room/locker room, and concession service. Staff liaison Vetter showed images and pointed out various issues to the Commissioners. Staff Liaison Vetter stated that the following issues need to be addressed: filter room, shade structure, pool deck/concession windows, changing rooms, pool deck, zero-entry, main pool, and plunge pool. Staff Liaison Vetter stated there are between 75,000 and 85,000 visits to the aquatic center each year, and most of the visitors stay more than two hours. Staff Liaison Vetter gave concrete examples of specific improvements that could/should be made. Staff Liaison Vetter stated that the city has requested State bonding for improvements to the aquatic center totaling $10,500,000. Within that request is $4,000,000 for the filter equipment and the new utility structure, which must be done. The remaining $6,500,000 funds would be invested in user amenities and modernization needs. D. 2024 Commission Work Plan Initiative 1.6.1 – Review and comment on Fred Richards Implementation. Commissioner Pettit asked to be on this initiative. It was noted part of the Master Plan is to create a wetland Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 04/08/2024 bank in the western portion of the park and the hope is to have a playground designed specifically for children with Autism. Initiative 1.6.2 – Review and comment on Braemar Park Implementation. Commissioner Garazatua will be added to this initiative. It was noted that part of the intent is to replace all of the safety nettings and backdrops in this park. Initiative 1.6.3 – Review and comment on Braemar Arena Implementation. Commissioner Kane will be added to this initiative. It was noted they are currently planning to have a couple of focus groups involved for the purpose of gathering community input. Initiative 1.6.4 – Community Garden Study and Report. Chair Doscotch has a meeting scheduled with the Energy and Environment Commission to discuss cross pollination along with how their initiatives work with our initiatives. Initiative 1.6.5 – Review and compare park shelter building amenities and function. Staff Liaison Vetter stated the plan is to find a professional service to assist with the park shelter discussion around size and scope of the project as well as the concepts of something unique versus having our own brand of building. VIII. Chair and Member Comments  No comments IX. Staff Comments A. Upcoming Meetings and Events Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:  The golf course is set to open March 25, 2024, weather dependent.  The Grandview Yard (old Public Works site) is a three-piece-stacked project from the south to the north. The south was an age-restricted cooperative, otherwise known as senior housing. The center portion was to become a restaurant. The northern portion was to become a green space/park. The senior housing portion has withdrawn their proposal and now the project is on pause.  A Master Plan was approved for Strachauer Park. The playground survey has already gone out.  The upcoming Parks and Recreation Commission meetings in April and in May will be on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. There is also a Special Joint Work Session meeting with the City Council on May 21, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. This is recommended, but attendance is not required, for the Special Work Session. The June meeting will be on a Tuesday, there is no July meeting and the August meeting will be on a Monday. X. Adjournment Motion made by Spanhake to adjourn the March 12, 2024, meeting at 8:47 p.m. Motion seconded by Weaver. Meeting adjourned.